The fourth-seeded Thomas More men’s basketball team fell to top-seeded Saint Vincent College, 86-73, Thursday in a semifinal game of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship Tournament at the Robert S. Carey Center in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
With the loss, the Saints see their season come to an end with an overall record of 17-10 while the Bearcats (21-6) advance to play second-seeded Waynesburg University in the championship game of the PAC Championship Tournament on Saturday.
Saint Vincent jumped out to an early 30-13 lead when Pat Jones made two free-throws with 7:14 to play in the first half. Thomas More answered with a 5-0 run to cut the lead to 30-18 with 4:38 to play in the half when sophomore guard/forward Nate McGovney (Alexandria, Ky./Campbell County) made a three-pointer.
The Bearcats closed out the half on a 15-6 run to take a 45-24 lead at halftime when Jaylon Bell made two free-throws with 32-seconds to play in the opening half.
Thomas More opened the second half with a 17-9 run to cut the lead to 54-41 with 13:43 to play in the game when senior forward Drew Mumford (Louisville, Ky./Christian Academy) made a jumper. The Bearcats answered with a 21-13 run capped by two Jones free-throws to increase the lead to 75-54 with 5:20 to play in the second half. The Saints closed the game on a 19-11 run, but it wasn’t enough as Saint Vincent won the game, 86-73.
Mumford led the team in scoring, rebounding and assists with 23 points, five rebounds and three assists. Joining him in double-figure scoring was senior forward Jalen Clark (Frankfort, Ky./Western Hills) with 15 points and sophomore guard Drew Mays (Union, Ky./Ryle) with 13 points.
Thomas More’s women’s team, undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation, open play in the PAC women’s tournament Friday, hosting Grove City at 8 p.m. in the Connor Convocation Center.
Saint Vincent College takes on Washington & Jefferson College at 6 p.m. with the championship match set for Saturday at 5 p.m.
From TMC Athletics